Friday Jun 28, 2013

Here's the first sign of life of a Hexbug Spider Robot converted to become a Skynet Big Data model T-1. Yes, this is T-1 the precursor to the Cyberdyne Systems T-101 (and you know where that will lead to...) It is demonstrating a heartbeat using a simple Java SE Embedded program to drive it.

It's alive!!! Well, almost alive. At least there's a pulse. We'll program more to its actions next, and then finally connect it to Skynet Big Data to do more advanced stuff, like hunt for Sarah Connor.

Java SE Embedded programming makes it simple to create the first model in the long line of T-XXX robots to take on the world. Raspberry Pi makes connecting it all together on one simple device, easy. Next post, I'll show how the wires are connected to drive the T-1 robot.

Monday Jun 24, 2013

In Part 2, I described what connections you need to make for this demo using a Hexbug Spider Robot, a Raspberry Pi, and Java SE Embedded for programming. Here are some photos of me doing the soldering. Software engineers should not be afraid of a little soldering work. It's all good.

One thing to watch out for when you open the remote is that there may be some glue covering the contact points. Make sure to use an X-Acto knife or small screwdriver to scrape away any glue or non-conductive material covering each place where you need to solder.

And after you are done with your soldering and you gave the solder enough time to cool, make sure all your connections are marked so that you know which wire goes where. Give each wire a very light tug to make sure it is soldered correctly and is making good contact.

Tuesday Jun 18, 2013

Here's a promotional video for the Java EE 7 launch. I'm pretty sure that's supposed to be a Tom Cruise-like character who frees all the Java Developers from the warehouse. And why are all the Java Developers in a warehouse to begin with? Did they do something wrong? Did they forget to buy bulk products at a reasonable price? Maybe Sharat knows? Looks like that's him in the middle of the group.

Helicopters, the San Francisco Bay Bridge, BART trains... fresh fruit stands... It's all very frightening. But, in the end, Java Developers rise up and take back Java. All is saved! Thank goodness! Phew!

Monday Jun 17, 2013

"Get ready for a major remodel fellas. We're back in hardware mode." -- Tony Stark.

Before we can use Java SE Embedded with our Skynet Big Data enabled Hexbug Spider robot, we need a little hardware hacking. Don't be afraid, just a little soldering.

Find the Hexbug Spider remote (little blue box pictured in the top of the photo). Carefully, use a small flat screwdriver and pry apart the four plastic tabs (two on each side). The top of the transmitter comes right off. Then flip it over and find the test points in the photo where we will solder wires onto.

Solder 7 5-inch pieces of wire (each marked differently or having a different color to identify them) on to each of the 7 contact points and run the 7 wires out of the channel hole of the case and snap it back together. Next, we'll connect those 7 wires to the Raspberry Pi so that our Java SE Embedded app can control the remote. Exciting already, eh?

Tuesday Jun 11, 2013

I'm still plugging away at RPi Oscilloscope benchmarking GPIO using Java Embedded in my spare time (stuck on getting NIO to work), but for now I need a break, so I'll go back to another cool use of GPIO using Java SE Embedded and a Raspberry Pi. Here are all the parts I just got for about $30.

I bought everything from RadioShack (except for the RPi), so you can do the same at home.

The goal is to use Skynet Big Data to make the Hexbug Spider robot move using a Java SE Embedded app running on the Raspberry Pi. So, this should be good... Go grab your RPi and buy these parts at your local 'Shack, then come back here for more instructions...

Tuesday Jun 04, 2013

What happens when your devices need to talk to their data center, like when your squadron of HK-Aerials need to contact Skynet to find where the rebel humans are huddled? You use Oracle's Java Embedded technology, of course!

In this connected world, the
proliferation of intelligent
devices has created a market
for entirely new solutions
based on Machine-to-Machine
(M2M) technology. Organizations
need more innovative ways to
harness ever-increasing amounts
of data, and use it to drive
smarter decisions, enable new
services and business models,
and reduce costs.

In a world where your devices need the latest coordinates of the human infestation, turn to Java Embedded tech. It's the key to smooth M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication.